An bucket-list backcountry ski trip to the
Lofoten Islands of Norway (with a side dish of yoga)
Calling all backcountry skiers...
This is the ultimate week of ski touring and yoga in the remote, pristine mountains of Lofoten, Norway. The Lofoten Islands are located just north of the Arctic Circle at latitude 68 where the Northern Lights are bright and the snowpack is supreme.
Our home-base for the week, Lofoten Ski Lodge, is a beautiful lodge perched on a salty, frigid Northern Atlantic Ocean fjord. It has cozy fireside lounges, delicious Norwegian cuisine, renovated fisherman’s cabins, a jacuzzi and sauna with sea views.
Ski touring is the main dish on this program. Your week includes 5 days of guided ski touring with daily mobility yoga to unwind and restore your body for your next stellar day in the mountains. We incorporate a day to rest and to accommodate weather. Instead, we go surfing, check out the Viking museum or just get some extra sauna and chill time in.
Ski Touring in Norway: This is human-powered skiing at its best! Our guides are pros at designing tours based on your fitness and ski level and their knowledge of the terrain is your ticket to some of the most incredible touring you’ll ever experience. Imagine this: putting your skins on at sea level, touring up 3,000’ of alpine terrain (no treeline), peeling skins, and making turns all the way back down to the Norwegian Sea. It’s unlike anything. After skiing you’ll return to the lodge for the most deluxe aprés ski: Norwegian waffles, yoga, sauna, jacuzzi and/or beer by the fire. Choose or try to fit it all in, the point is you’ll have it all right at your fingertips. *Ski proficiency is required for this trip
Yoga Support: This is a bucket-list ski trip not a yoga retreat. Yoga will be offered each day as a means to stretch tired muscles and recover from the big days you’ll spend in the backcountry. No yoga experience necessary. In fact, less is more when it comes to restoring your body and energy. Bree takes an anatomy-smart approach to restore your body after a full day of touring and will help you tap into vacation mode.
Sample Itinerary
March 30
Arrive + Settle
March 31 - April 5
8am Breakfast
9am Ski Tour
4pm Waffles at the lodge
5pm Yoga + Sauna
7pm Dinner
April 6
Check-out + Departure
Accommodations
Your accommodations for the week won’t disappoint!
You’ll be staying in historic fisherman’s cabins renovated with chic Scandinavian style. Each cabin is perched on the fjord with mountain views and dock access direct from your door. There’s not a bad room in the house!
Each cabin sleeps 4 people or two couples in two private bedrooms upstairs and comes equipped with a kitchenette, dining table, living room, and bathroom downstairs.
*Your lodging is included in the pricing.
“What didn’t I love?? The whole trip was pretty ideal for me. I liked just being able to show up with my gear and have everything else just sort of fall into place once I was there. I really liked the balance of lots of on hill adventure time, with a couple chill days seeing some tourist sites and Norwegian nature.”
Pricing
$3,999/pp
$250 off if you book before 10/31
Includes
5 days of guided skiing
Daily mobility yoga
A weather/rest day
Daily breakfast, lunch, 2-course dinner + aprés ski waffle happy hour
Coffee, tea & juice
Cabin accommodations for 7 nights
Transportation to/from Svolvaer airport and Lofoten Ski Lodge
Trip Packet + Gear list
Excludes
Airfare
Adult beverages and mineral water (available for purchase at the lodge bar)
Any tourist expenses on rest days
Tax
Optional Add-on
gear rentals
Your Trip Hosts
Bree Dillon
Experienced Yoga Teacher & Motive Owner
With over 20 years of yoga studies and teaching, Bree started Motive Yoga Co. to explore how the principles of yoga can fuel our biggest and smallest endeavors. Her practical approach to teaching empowers her students with functional and relevant movement and mindfulness tools. Her classes makes sense in your body based on how it is designed and challenge your physical and mental limitations so you experience the freedom you desire.
Selected Credentials:
E-RYT 500 Yoga Medicine
RYT 200 Julia McCabe
Trained in yoga for: orthopedic care of shoulders and hips, mental health, restorative, yoga for athletes, and vinyasa
Contact: bree@motiveyogaco.com
Jen Webster
Program Assistant & Paramedic
Jen is a Washington State certified Paramedic located in the Methow Valley which is nestled in the North Cascades mountain range. Jen began recreating in the Methow Valley in 2005 and spends as much time in the mountains as possible while still paying the bills. Jen worked as the office manager at North Cascades Mountain Guides for several years and has had the privilege of traveling and participating in guided trips throughout the world. Currently, Jen works full time as a Paramedic and volunteers as a ski patroller in the winter and spends the rest of the time raising kids and animals and scheming backcountry adventures. Jen is a national and WA state certified Paramedic trained in advanced trauma and medical care as well as a certified national ski patroller. Jen has completed her AIARE 2 avalanche training and spends a lot of time digging in snow and nerding out on snow science.
FAQS
Will we ski different terrain every day?
Yes! It's rare that we ski the same terrain twice and that would only happen for reasons of snowpack safety, weather conditions, or other similar reasons. The lodge is positioned within casting distance of over 100 ski tours.
How would you describe the terrain?
Remnant glaciated, alpine terrain. Similar to WA Pass but without the trees and more open. (all website pics are tours from this program).
Any estimate on average daily vert?
3,500'-5000' depending on the group. Groups that have the fitness, skills and desire trend toward the higher end of that range.
Does the entire group ski together each day or do you split into small groups?
We will be organized in groups of 4 or 5 skiers to one guide. This is for safety in the backcountry.
Is AIARE L1 sufficient as a pre-req for this terrain?
AIARE L1 is sufficient but not required. If one isn't already a back country skier we require an Intro to Touring course or equivalent ski experience plus a one-day rescue course or similar safety training. One must be a proficient skier comfortable in variable conditions with confidence and aptitude in black diamond terrain (ie. being able to link turns in 38 degree terrain as well as side slipping on 40+ degree slopes). The program includes a safety briefing to refresh people on the use of avi rescue gear.
Is the lodge able to accommodate dietary restrictions such a Gluten Free?
Meals are prepared and served buffet style to accommodate a variety of dietary preferences and restrictions.
What airport is best to fly into?
Your final destination is Svolvaer SVJ. This airport is only a 20 minute drive from the lodge. Your transportation upon arrival is included.